January 2, 2013

This is a protected area of coastal dunes, and Lowland Fynbos. On the way, we stopped at Sir Lowrey’s Pass where we saw the fabulous Cape Rockjumper. We missed the other target endemic, Victorin’s Warbler, which had gone quiet.

In the farmlands leading to the reserve we saw Clapper Lark and the recently split Algulhas Long Billed Lark. Groups of Blue Crane could be seen in the fields, and a Lanner Falcon made a flyby.

Common Fiscals were easily found in the Reserve, as well as a long distance view of a displaying Stanley’s Bustard. A Hoopoe wandered through one of the picnic area, and it was interesting to see the darker brown plumage of this race compared to the European race. It has been treated as a separate species, and may be again.